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Title
Public Hearing and an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinance, Chapter 26, "Utilities and Services" relating to fees for stormwater utilities
Presenter
Bill Crolley, Executive Director of Planning, Development, Engineering & Transportation
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
A Stormwater Utility Rate Study has been conducted and determined the necessary stormwater utility rates to continue to provide such services to the community in compliance with Federal and State regulations as well as community standards. The rates represent an average increase of 10.00% with the increases generally uniform across all rate classes.
At the July 19, 2016 Finance and Government Committee Meeting and the August 30, 2016 Budget Workshop, the City Council reviewed the rate proposal and recommends the rate changes as recommended and set forth below.
Financial Consideration
The rate changes contained in this ordinance are expected to generate $560,240 in additional revenues for the City.
Body
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 26, “UTILITIES AND SERVICES” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS BY CHANGING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ARTICLE II THEREOF, RELATING TO CHARGES FOR STORMWATER UTILITY FEES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND TO BECOME EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2017
WHEREAS, The Stormwater Systems of the City are supported by revenues from the Stormwater Utility fund dedicated to support of these utility systems and;
WHEREAS, A rate study has been conducted to determine costs and necessary rates to be charged in order to continue to provide stormwater services as required and;
WHEREAS, The City Council Finance and Government Committee has reviewed the proposed rates, concurs with, and recommends the rates set forth herein and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS,
SECTION 1: THAT Article II, Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances, Section 26-26 is amended by changing the charges for provision of municipal utility services as set out herein which is to become effective January 1, 2017.
Sec. 26-26. - Stormwater utility fees.
(a) There shall be a fee on each monthly utility statement for the municipal stormwater utility system. The city manager is authorized to collect such fees in a manner consistent with this chapter, the City Chapter [Charter], and state law. The stormwater utility fee will be a separate line item on the utility statement and shall be clearly identified as a separate fee.
(b) The following rates per month are hereby established:
(1) Residential accounts.
Each separately metered residential account serving a residence with house and additions footprint up to 1,000 square feet, per account $1.65
Each separately metered residential account serving a residence with house and additions footprint from 1,001 square feet to 2,500 square feet, per account $4.14
Each separately metered residential account serving a residence with house and additions footprint above 2,501 square feet, per account $4.79
Mobile homes with residential units which are not separately metered, per residential unit $1.65
Duplex, tri-plex, four-plex and multifamily with residential units which are not separately metered, per residential unit $3.18
(2) Nonresidential accounts.
The rates shall be calculated using a charge of one thousand two hundred seventy-one ten thousandths of a dollar ($.1271) per one hundred (100) square feet of impervious area according to the following formula:
Stormwater Utility Fee (SWUT Fee) = (Total impervious Area) X (Rate)/100
(a) In the event that a site has multiple meters and multiple tenants, the impervious area of the common area of the site is divided between the tenants proportionately according to the building size as a percentage of the common area.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by this article, billing, fees and collection procedures shall be consistent with that of the water and sewer services.
(c) Stormwater fees shall be identified separately on the utility billing. Billing shall be consistent with V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 552.048.
(d) Delinquent fees shall be collected in a manner consistent with V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 552.050.
(e) Where the City does not bill water, sewer or solid waste to a customer/Owner, the City is here by authorized to establish a “Stormwater Utility Only Account” and to bill the Stormwater Utility Fee to either the Customer or Owner.
(f) If the calculation for nonresidential accounts results in a fee of less than five dollars ($5.00), then a five dollar ($5.00) minimum bill designation is applied.
(g) The city may grant exemptions from the stormwater fee pursuant to V.T.C.A., Local Government Code § 552.053.
(h) From time to time, the city manager or his designee(s) shall adopt rules for the administration of the stormwater fee subject to council approval. These rules shall include a process for the appeal of the stormwater fee as it is applied to an individual property.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 13th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2016.